Hibiscus plant named ‘RutHib4’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘RutHib4’ is characterized by a combination of compact, dense growth form, that is smaller than either parent, bright red flowers with a darker red eyespot, better adaptation to southern climates, and improved disease resistance to aerial phytophthora, fungal and bacterial leaf spots.

Botanical designation: Hibiscus moscheutos.

Cultivar denomination ‘RutHib4’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus, botanically know as Hibiscus moscheutos, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘RutHib4’.

The new Hibiscus moscheutos ‘RutHib4’ is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventors at a horticulture farm in Watkinsville, Ga. The objective of the Hibiscus breeding is to create new plant cultivars with ornamental leaf distinctions, abundant flowers, and tolerance to insects and pathogens. These and other qualities are enumerated herein.

The new Hibiscus moscheutos ‘RutHib4’ is a product of Hibiscus moscheutos ‘RutHib2’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,853) x Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Midnight Marvel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,079). The cross was made in 2013. ‘RutHib4’ has been evaluated through trials at a horticulture farm in Watkinsville, Ga. from spring of 2014, and the plant ‘RutHib4’ was selected in 2014.

Asexual reproduction of the new Hibiscus moscheutos ‘RutHib4’ using vegetative terminal cuttings in controlled environment has been continued in Watkinsville, Ga. since 2014, and in Pennsylvania since 2015. Observations of the resulting ‘RutHib4’ progeny have shown that the unique features of this new Hibiscus moscheutos ‘RutHib4’ are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Hibiscus cultivar ‘RutHib4’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment and cultural practices such as temperature, water and fertility levels, soil types, and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique and distinguishing characteristics of the new Hibiscus moscheutos cultivar named ‘RutHib4’. In combination, these traits set ‘RutHib4’ apart from all other existing varieties of Hibiscus known to the inventors.

-   -   1. Compact, dense growth form, smaller than either parent;     -   2. Bright red flowers with a darker red eyespot;     -   3. Better adaptation to southern climates than ‘Midnight Marvel’         or ‘Mars Madness’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,838);     -   4. Improved disease resistance to aerial phytophthora, fungal         and bacterial leaf spots than some other Hibiscus, such as         ‘Midnight Marvel’ or ‘Mars Madness’.

Specifically, plants of the new Hibiscus differ from the closest related cultivars, including the female parent H. moscheutos ‘RutHib2’ and the male parent H. moscheutos ‘Midnight Marvel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,079) as well as similar cultivar ‘Mars Madness’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,838), in at least the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hibiscus exhibit a smaller, more compact         growth form than either parent;     -   2. Plants of the new Hibiscus are more resistant to aerial         phytophtora and more suitable for growth in southern climates         than the male parent ‘Midnight Marvel’ or ‘Mars Madness’, which         were unable to survive in the field for more than three seasons         in Georgia;     -   3. Plants of the new Hibiscus are smaller in stature and have a         different flower color compared to ‘RutHib2’ or ‘Mars Madness’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographic illustrations show the overall appearance and distinct characteristics of the new cultivar of Hibiscus moscheutos ‘RutHib4’ showing the colors as true as possible. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describes the colors of the new Hibiscus moscheutos ‘RutHib4’. The photographs were taken of plants grown outdoors in West Grove, Pa. on during Summer 2020.

The photographs labeled FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B depict close up views of a typical flower of the new Hibiscus moscheutos ‘RutHib4’ plant in different lighting, showing the bright red coloring, deep red eyespot and green foliage.

The photograph labeled FIG. 2 depicts a more distant view of a typical three-year-old summer ‘RutHib4’ plant growing alongside other Hibiscus plants of different form and color, illustrating the bright red coloring and compact form of the ‘RutHib4’ cultivar.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of a typical (2-year-old) Hibiscus moscheutos ‘RutHib4’ potted plant showing its form and bright red flowers.

FIG. 4 is a close-up photograph of a flower and leaf of the “RutHib4’ photograph with a ruler to show the size and coloring of a typical flower and leaf of the new Hibiscus.

The photograph labeled FIG. 5 depicts a typical Hibiscus moscheutos ‘RutHib4’ prior to bloom, showing buds and the deep purple-green foliage.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following traits have been consistently observed in the original plant of this new variety and in asexually propagated progeny grown from vegetative cuttings in Watkinsville, Ga., and West Grove, Pa., and, to the best knowledge of the inventors, their combination forms the unique characteristics of the new variety ‘RutHib4’.

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of that color, as used in common speech, is aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 6^(th) edition published by The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England in 2015, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements, and values describe plants of the Hibiscus moscheutos cultivar named ‘RutHib4’. Data were collected from 2-year old field plants grown outdoors and planted in the ground on a horticulture farm and nursery in West Grove, Pa. with no trims. The average low temperatures ranged from about 0° F. to 5° F. in the winter and about 48° F. to 84° F. in summer. The data below were collected in the month of August of 2020.

-   Botanical classification: Hibiscus moscheutos ‘RutHib4’. -   Commercial classification: Ornamental shrub. -   Parentage: Hibiscus moscheutos ‘RutHib2’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.     30,853) x Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Midnight Marvel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.     24,079). -   Growth and propagation:     -   -   Propagation type.—Vegetative terminal cutting.         -   Growth rate.—Root initiation — 2 weeks, rooted liners in 4-6             weeks before or after flowering.         -   Root description.—Fleshy, branching and dense. -   Plant description:     -   -   Form.—Hardy herbaceous shrub, vibrant red flowers, blooms             from July to November in Southeastern, PA and from mid-June             until October in Georgia.         -   Habit.—Upright, spreading, mounding, with 10 to 12 thick             upright and heavily branched main stems producing a upright             spreading mound to about 104 cm tall and about 132.3 cm             wide, widest about 64 cm above soil line; 12 to 16 primary             branches per main stem protruding at about 80° from             horizontal for lowest branches to about 45° angle from             horizontal for distal branches, flowering from base to top             of plant with about 20 to 28 flowers per main stem.         -   Usage.—Various uses, such as container patio plants, potted             plants, landscape use such as border, hedge, and mass             planting.         -   Vigor.—Moderate.         -   Size of plant.—A. Height: up to about 104 cm in PA (planted             in ground in GA on May 26, 2021 with a height of about 50             cm, as compared to the height of ‘RutHib2’ in GA of about 75             cm and ‘Midnight Marvel’ or ‘Mars Madness’, which did not             survive in GA). B. Plant diameter and area of spread             (diameter of the canopy): up to about 132 cm in PA (planted             in ground in GA on May 26, 2021 with a width of about 75 cm,             as compared to the width of RutHib2 in GA of about 110 cm             and ‘Midnight Marvel’ or ‘Mars Madness’, which did not             survive in GA).         -   Stem.—A. Color (RHS): 1. Main Stem: Base: greyed-red 182B;             distal portion: between RHS 183A and RHS 187C. 2. Lateral             Branches: Between RHS 176A and RHS 144C. B. Length: main             stem, about 102.0-104 cm; lateral branches, about             31.2 cm. C. Diameter: base, about 3.8 cm; lateral branches,             about 5.0 mm. D. Pubescence: none; glabrous. E. Shape:             Terete. F: Odor (of bruised stem): none detected. G:             Description: glaucous. H: Strength: non-lodging.         -   Internode.—A. Number: about 30 nodes per stem below flowers,             average internode length about 4.0 cm of unpinched plant             below flower and average about 2.0 cm in upper flowering             section without branches, largest in middle portion of             stem. B. Color: Varying with light exposure, same as             surrounding stem.         -   Leaf.—A. Mature size (L×W): About 14.0 cm×about 9.5 cm,             becoming smaller distally. B. Arrangement on stem:             alternate. C. Leaf number: single. D. Color (RHS): Adaxial             color nearest to Yellow-Green147A with purple spots of             nearest RHS 187A showing; abaxial color nearest RHS 147B. 1.             Fall-Winter: fall color if present Greyed-Orange 167B,             deciduous. 2. Spring-Summer: as per above. E. Apex:             attenuate; Base: rounded. F. Margin: dentate. G. Shape:             deeply cleft to slightly lobed; lobing is shallow to             medium. H. Number of lobes: mostly three-lobed with some             five-lobed. I. Pubescence: glaucous. J. Venation: Palmate;             lustrous; ridged on abaxial. K. Vein color: Adaxial             proximally nearest RHS Greyed-Red 187B and progressing to             nearest RHS 187A distally; abaxial nearest RHS 186B. L.             Texture: glabrous, lustrous adaxial center, dull adaxial             sides and below. M. Odor when crushed: none detected.         -   Petiole.—A. Length: about 6.5 cm to about 7.5 cm. B. Shape:             mostly terete, slightly flattened at base. C. Color (RHS):             Adaxial between RHS Greyed-Red 183B and RHS Red-Purple 59A;             abaxial between RHS 182B. D. Pubescence: glaucous. E.             Diameter: about 4.0 mm-5.0 mm. F. Texture: glabrous.         -   Inflorescence(s).—A. Type: Solitary. B. Number per Plant:             about 10 average/plant at one time; C. Size (L×W): about 12             cm×12 cm. D. Color (RHS): 184A. E. Longevity: 1-2 days. F.             Peduncle. 1. Length: about 3.5 cm. 2. Diameter: about             4.0 cm. 3. Color (RHS): 145A. 4. Surface Texture: smooth. 5.             Strength: strong. 6. Aspect: about 30 degrees.         -   Flower.—A. Number per Inflorescence: about 3-5 per stem in a             cluster. B. Axillary or Terminal: axillary, single. C.             Symmetry: radial. D. Size: height, about 7.0 cm; diameter,             about 23.0 cm. E. Pubescence/Texture: glabrous. F. Flower             form/profile: form is large, whirled, and conspicuous;             profile is large and flat with protruding reproductive             parts. G. Color at peak bloom (RHS): 1. Upper surface: Red             184A with 187B eye. 2. Lower surface: 184A. H. Fragrance:             none detected. I. Duration: approximately 2 days on the             plant. J. Time range for showiness: blooms from July to             November in Southeastern, PA and from mid-June until October             in Georgia. K. Bud: 1. Color (RHS): 185A when opening. 2.             Shape: ovoid. 3. Length: about 5.5 cm. 4. Width: about             3.3 cm. L. Petals: 1. Number: 5. 2. Shape: Broadly obovate,             overlapping on either side, palmately veined. 3. Size (l×w):             about 12.0 cm×about 12 cm. 4. Apex: rounded, rippled. 5.             Base: cuneate. 6. Margin: entire with moderate             undulation. 7. Color at when first and fully opened             (RHS): i. Upper surface: 184A with 187B eye. ii. Under             surface: 184A. 8. Petal drop: Average. 9. Texture:             smooth. 10. Arrangement: radial, actinomorphic. 11. Eye             zone: present, about 2 cm in length (about ⅕-⅙ length of             petal), small to medium compared to other varieties. 12. Eye             zone extensions: absent. M. Epicalyx: 1. Margin: entire. 2.             Texture: glabrous, dull surface abaxial and adaxial; 3.             Shape: linear with sharply acute apex and attenuate base,             arcuate upwards near calyx. 4. Number: 10-12 per flower. 5.             Size: about 2.5 cm long tapering to base of about 3.0 mm             wide. 6. Color: adaxial and abaxial color RHS 138A with             abaxial tinting of nearest RHS 187C. N. Sepal(s): 1.             Number: 5. 2. Size (l×w): about 3.5 cm×about 2.0 cm. 3.             Apex: acute to aristate. 4. Base: fused to a cup shape in             about 1.5 cm. 5. Margin: entire. 6. Texture: under surface             puberulent. 7. Color at peak of bloom (RHS): a. Upper             surface: 145A. b. Lower surfaces: 144B. O. Male reproductive             structures (stamens): 1. Number: Approximately 180. 2.             Staminal column length: 50-70 mm. 3. Anther: a. Size (l×w):             about 2.0 mm×about 2.0 mm. b. Shape: reniform,             dorsifixed. c. Color (RHS): 162B. d. Number: About 180. e.             Texture/pubescence: smooth. 4. Filament: a. length: about             5.0 mm. b. Color (RHS): 51A. c. Texture: smooth. 5.             Pollen: a. Quantity: numerous. b. Pollen color (RHS):             11B. P. Female Reproductive structures: 1. Pistil: a. Shape:             enclosed in staminal column. b. Length: 5.5 cm. c. Position             (superior, inferior, etc.): superior. d. Color (RHS): column             61C to 60B at the end tip. e. Pubescence: none. f.             Arrangement: split in distal about 1.8 cm portion into 5             branches from column. g. Branch diameter: about 1.5 mm. 2.             Stigma: a. Shape: round. b. Color (RHS): 53A. c. Diameter:             about 4.0 mm. d. Pubescence: none. 3. Style: a. Length:             1.8 cm. b. Shape: interior to staminal column. c. Color             (RHS): 53B. d. Pubescence: none. 4. Ovary: a. Shape:             conical. b. Color (RHS): 187B. c. Pubescence: none.         -   Fruit.—A. Type: Loculicidal capsule; puberulent; globose,             with abruptly acute apex. B. Size: 10.0 mm diameter. C.             Depth: 1.0 cm. D. Shape: Start/Urn shaped. E. Color:             154 C. F. Surface texture: smooth.         -   Seed.—A. Description: Minutely floccose, typically             globose. B. Size: about 4.0 mm in diameter. C. Color (RHS):             between 158B and 158C. D. Count: about 50. -   Weather/temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Hibiscus have been     observed to tolerate temperatures from about −5° F. to about 100° F.     and have been observed to be very tolerant to full sun, wet soils,     mild drought, loam to clay soils conditions. -   Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the new Hibiscus have been     observed to be resistant to plants and pests common to Hibiscus such     as, but not limited to, bacterial (Pseudomonas and Xanthomonas) and     fungal leaf spots (Alternaria and Cercospora), aerial phytophthora. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of the Hibiscus plant named ‘RutHib4’ as illustrated and described herein. 